Arctic Institute holds roundtable on peopling of the Americas

November 7, 2014

University Relations

The Arctic Institute of North America will host its Arctic roundtable, Friday, Nov. 14, at 6 p.m. at the Morris Thompson Cultural Center.

The following experts will discuss "The Peopling of the Americas: Who, Where and When?"

• Daniel Mann, UAF assistant professor of geography.
• Mike Kunz, U.S. Bureau of Land Management and UAF School of Natural Resources and Extension.
• David Melzer, Southern Methodist University professor of anthropology.
• Ben Potter, UAF associate professor of anthropology.

North and South America were the last continents colonized by humans. We think people first entered the New World across the Bering Land Bridge, but it remains a mystery who they were, when exactly they came and what route they then traveled between Alaska and lower latitudes. The rapid, repeated, long-distance colonization of vast new territories had drastic effects on both the first people themselves and on the ecosystems they entered. The panel will initiate the discussion, followed by open discussion among the panel members and the audience.

Doors open at 5:30 p.m., and snacks will be served.

Contact Carl Benson at benson@gi.alaska.edu for more information.